http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754: Top-order analysis – ICC World Cup 2011
The third quarter-final match of the ICC World Cup 2011 between South Africa and New Zealand is all set to take place today at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. Both teams are looking to put in a good performance, as this is the knock-out stage
and the winner advances to the semi-finals, as the loser will have to go home.
A comparison of two top-order players, AB de Villiers of South Africa and New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum is as follows:
A South African match winner: AB de Villiers
The top-order batsman in the South African side, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AB-de-Villiers-c887, is famous for his blasting drives. His exceptional foot-work and tremendous batting technique gives him the ability to explore some big innings under pressure. He is a multi-faceted athlete,
as he also plays rugby, golf and tennis as well.
His impressive performance in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 at Port Elizabeth in 2004 demonstrated his reputation as a top-order batsman in the South African side. De Villiers has the ability to bat at any position in the line-up.
The classy South African wicket-keeper batsman has played 14 World Cup matches scoring 690 runs including 146 runs as his highest, setting his average at 53.07 runs. He has three hundreds and three fifties managing his strike rate at 105.34.
De Villiers has featured in 118 One Day International matches by scoring 4488 runs and managing his average at 45.79, including his highest score of 146 runs. He has 11 hundreds and 26 fifties in the limited overs format of the game.
South Africa’s former captain, Kepler Wessels has said about de Villiers, "He is the expansive match winner in the batting order through his talent and flair."
New Zealand’s classic batsman: Brendon McCullum
The top-order right-hand batsman in the New Zealand squad, Brendon McCullum, has the aptitude to carry the Kiwi’s innings. A stylish player with smashing drives and full length dives behind the stumps as wicket-keeper has a tremendous amount of importance
in the New Zealand squad.
McCullum enjoys playing the scoop shot against the opposition pace bowlers with ease. His batting temperament gives New Zealand the opportunity to build solid partnerships and post large totals on the board.
He has played 23 World Cup matches scoring 397 runs and setting his average at 36.09, including his highest score of 36.09. He has one century and two glorious fifties in the tournament. McCullum has also taken 29 catches to his credit.
McCullum overall has played 190 ODIs. He started his ODI career against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 at Sydney in 2002. In 190 ODIs, he has scored 4020 runs, setting his average on 29.13. He has three centuries and 19 fifties with 166 runs as his highest. McCullum managed
a strike rate of 88.85 and demonstrated his qualities to build up the innings with his terrific shots. In wicket-keeping, he has taken 213 catches.
In the end after analysing the performances of these two Captains, we can say that both players are quite balanced and are quite skilled to build up their team innings. De Villiers seems a little aggressive, as compared to McCullum, but the New Zealanders
potential cannot be ignored, as they are capable to destroy the South African line-up.
Historically, the South African team has a failing habit of getting eliminated from knock-out stages and New Zealand has a significant psychological advantage.
Both teams will play their hearts out, as each team knows that the elusive trophy is just two games away.
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